Katich impressed by 'mature' Hughes

Every few years an Australian batsman comes along with expectations so high that it feels like he can't possibly live up to the hype. Ricky Ponting made his Test debut at 20 and went on to be one of the world's all-time top batsmen. Michael Clarke was already being mentioned as Australia's next captain when he sparkled into the side at 23 and struck a century on debut.

Phillip Hughes is in good company. Hughes, 20, was this week preparing for his first match representing Australia, in a tour match at Potchefstroom. He will make his Test debut in Johannesburg next week and according to his opening partner Simon Katich, who is also his captain at New South Wales, there is no question over his readiness.

"He's mature enough. Even though he's so young, what I've seen from him in the last 12 months is that there's a maturity there," Katich said. "Regardless of the situation he just gets out there and does what he's used to doing. That's the key for any new guys into the team. They have to trust their games for what's made them successful at the lower level and apply that to the next level."

Katich has been on the first-class scene in Australia for 12 years. He knows that when he began he did not have the maturity that Hughes displays and he has only seen a couple of batsmen who have had that poise at such a young age.

"There's only been a few in the last dozen years in terms of Ricky and Michael Clarke that have done that," Katich said. "It's a bit of a rarity. But knowing what he's like it doesn't surprise me too because right from the word go last year it seemed like he was made for playing professional cricket. He's shown that in the last 12 months."

Both Ponting and Clarke endured difficult spells when they were dropped from the Test team early in their careers, so it's entirely possible that Hughes also will have up-and-down periods as he makes his way. So far, it's all been up. Since making his first-class debut at 18 in November 2007, Hughes has averaged 60.38.

Most impressive has been the way he has performed in key matches. In last season's Pura Cup final, he scored 116 in the second innings to help New South Wales win the title. This summer he piled on a match total of 233 in a Sheffield Shield game just days before this touring squad was picked. He is happy to absorb the pressure immediately on his Test debut, having volunteered to face the first ball.

"The young bloke put his hand up for it so he's definitely got it," Katich said. "We did a bit of negotiating and I said I'd do the short-leg duties for him so we've come to a pretty good trade-off. He's not fond of doing that so I put my hand up."

When Katich talks of Hughes as "the young bloke" he sounds like a proud father, which in a sense is not that far from the truth. Katich is 13 years older than his new opening partner and has been his captain at New South Wales for Hughes' entire first-class career - all 18 months of it.

"I'm looking forward to getting out there and opening with him," Katich said. "We haven't actually walked out together to open as such even for the Blues. Generally when we've played I've either batted at three or four. I'm pretty sure I haven't actually opened with him."

That will be one of a few new experiences for Katich on this tour. Another will be playing his first Test in South Africa, where he has toured with the ODI side and an Academy squad. He must also get used to being the senior opening partner following Hayden's retirement.

"It's a bit of a strange situation for me to be in given that only probably Ricky and Michael have played more Tests," he said. "It's interesting that sort of role reversal now - it means I'm getting old."